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Cristina Ramirez
Founder & Artistic Director

Cristina is the passionate Founder and Artistic Director of Coalesce Center for Dance Artistry, a dance studio known for nurturing talent, creativity, and personal growth. Her love for dance began at a young age and led to a scholarship to DeSales University, where she earned a BA in Dance and a minor in Italian. She trained under Timothy Cowart, Camille Armstrong, Tara Madsen Robbins, and Trinette Singleton. Cristina is a certified Progressing Ballet Technique (PBT) instructor and former member of the Lady Hoofers, Philadelphia’s all-female professional tap company.

Cristina is committed to helping young dancers discover their potential, build confidence, and reach their goals—both in dance and in life. Under her leadership, Coalesce Center for Dance Artistry has flourished, creating a community where students are given the tools to grow. As the studio enters its 8th season, Cristina continues to lead with passion, vision, and a belief in the power of dance to inspire and transform.

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Donna Heffner
2025-2026 Instructor + Company Choreographer

Donna Heffner is a tap dancer from the suburbs of Philadelphia Pa. She grew up tap dancing as well as other styles but quickly knew tap was her passion. She started teaching students and adults in and around Philadelphia for the last 18 years, and started a tap company 5 years ago for Adults. Her company Buck and Wing Tap is open to any adult tap dancer who wishes to perform. They have performed in PA, NJ and NYC.

 

Donna’s technical and professional training includes learning from some of the biggest names and masters in Tap.She spent a week with Heather Cornell in NY at her tap labs, and took one of her EddieBrown workshops, as well as master classes.In 2022 Donna attended a week long study for tap choreographers with Karida Griffith inPortland, and completed a Tap teacher training course.Donna has also studied tap at University of the Arts in Philadelphia with Corinne Karonand Robert Burden. She’s been to numerous tap festivals, conventions, and taken classes at Broadways Dance Center NYC and Steps on Broadway.

Her performances in tap have taken her to NYC, Washington DC, Philadelphia and NJ.

 

She is a long time member of Uniting Colleges Through Tap in Philadelphia. She is also a prize winner level Irish dancer.When not teaching or doing choreography she is also an adjudicator for 2 dance competitions on the East coast.Donna is also one of the few remaining toe tap dancers in the world

Brittany Hercik is a graduate of DeSales University with a B.A. in Dance and TV/Film.  She also holds certification through Dance Masters of America Teachers Training School.  During her time in college, Brittany served as President of the DeSales University Dance Team along with teaching for the school’s Conservatory of Dance.  She also interned at Pentacle, a non-profit dance organization in NYC during her junior and senior year of college.  She has performed in many dance concerts and showcases getting the opportunity to recreate work from Charles Weidman, work with the New Street Dance Group, and Natalie Desch, a former Limon Dance Company and Doug Varone member to name a few.  Other performance experiences include the American Dance College Festival Association, the Philadelphia Fringe Festival, the Dance New Amsterdam College Exchange Program and numerous other performances throughout the area.  Her choreography has been seen at DeSales University, McConnellsburg High School, countless dance on camera productions and many dance competitions.  Brittany is currently on the dance faculty at Arts Academy Charter Middle School in Allentown, PA and also runs the En L’Airs Dance Team after school.  Brittany is thrilled to share her passion for dance with others and looks forward to what the future holds.

Brittany Hercik
2025-2026 Guest Company Choreographer

Adrianna Poindexter
2025-2026 Instructor + Company Choreographer

Adrianna Poindexter is a Philadelphia-based dancer, and Emmy award-winning choreographer and producer. She earned a BA in Dance Performance with a Theatre Performance minor from Stockton University, and also received training from Philadanco’s Summer Programs and Instruction & Training Program. Some of her performance credits include THE EMPIRE STRIPS BACK, MJ LIVE, LEGENDS IN CONCERT, and dancing as a member of the Philadelphia 76ers Dance Team. Adrianna has choreographed and produced multiple shows as part of the PHILLY FRINGE FESTIVAL, as well as cabaret shows and concept videos. In 2021, she choreographed, directed and co-produced a concept video entitled OTHERED. for THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER’S WILDEST DREAMS series. In 2022, she had the honor of winning a Mid-Atlantic Regional Emmy for a video composite that featured OTHERED.Adrianna’s mission is to connect with audiences by creating works that document the human experience.

Genene Wallis-McGrath is originally from Philadelphia, PA and has a BA in dance from Point Park University. She has fifteen years of concert dance experience working with companies such as Missouri Contemporary Ballet, Peridance Contemporary Dance Company, Met Dance and Houston Contemporary Dance Company where she was a founding member. During this time she had the opportunity of premiering works by Jack Wolff, Autumn Eckman, Margot Gelber, Rosie Herrera, Jessica Hendricks, Kiesha Lalama, Kiki Lucas, Robbie Moore, Igal Perry, Joshua L. Peugh, Katarzyna Skarpetowska, and Mario Zambrano. In addition to world-premieres she has also performed repertoire works from Peter Chu, Joe Celej, Kyle Abraham, Camille A. Brown, Caleb Mitchell, Dwight Rhoden and Andrea Dawn Shelley. Touring opportunities include: performing on Inside/Out Stage at Jacob’s Pillow, Green Box Arts Festival, Dallas Dance Fest, Austin Dance Festival, Spring to Dance (both with Met Dance and MCB,) Red Rock Dance Festival, and making her Houston Symphony debut in 2019. Genene has extensive teaching experience including having the role as Studio and Education Director at the Institute of Contemporary Dance for five years. She has also worked for the world winning team Dance Dynamics from Spring, Texas.

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2025-2026 Instructor + Company Choreographer

Kimberly O'Grady
2025-2026 Instructor

Kimberly O'Grady has over 30 years of dance experience in both studio and competitive settings, having trained under notable instructors like Jane Lopton and Leah Melling DeCesare. She was a First Company dancer and choreographer with The Lady Hoofers, Philadelphia’s all-female tap ensemble, and performed in their debut of The Tapcracker. Her performance credits include Tap Ties National Tap Dance Day, the Suzanne Roberts Theatre, and Rutgers University’s That Which Connects festival.

Kimberly has studied with acclaimed tap artists such as Jason Samuels Smith and Heather Cornell and debuted her original choreography, Sound & Color, in 2019. She has also trained with the Radio City Rockettes and at Broadway Dance Center. A certified vinyasa yoga instructor and cycling enthusiast, she briefly attended DeSales University where she performed in Crazy for You.

Kimberly earned her BA in Mass Media Communication from LaSalle University and built a successful career in television as a reporter, producer, and anchor. She received two Mid-Atlantic Emmy nominations, a Pennsylvania Associated Press award, and a Bronze Telly Award for a segment on the Discovery Channel. Her on-screen work includes roles in FBI, Bull, 17 Bridges, and modeling for QVC. Kimberly lives in Pennsylvania with her husband and their three children: Gabriel, Zofia, and Vivian.

Michaela Clovis
2025-2026 Instructor

Michaela Clovis has trained at various schools throughout the tri-state area, including Center Stage, Princeton Dance and Theater, Princeton Ballet, the Rock School, Alvin Ailey, and the Royal Danish Ballet under the direction of Vivi Flindt. She was accepted into Alvin Ailey's Pre Professional Fellowship Program where she trained in West African, Horton, Graham, ballet, tap, and pointe technique. Michaela obtained her B.A. in International Business from Franklin University Switzerland where she served as Vice President and President of the University’s dance group, Lugano Street Dance, which taught and performed hip hop, modern and Latin dance. She has participated in many shows in the Philadelphia area since 2015 including The Dance Outlet Project, Koresh Artist Showcase & Come Together Dance Festival, ETC Series, CHI Movement Arts Dance Center, The Ritz Theater, and more. Michaela joined The Lady Hoofers as an Apprentice in 2016 and was promoted to First Company in 2021. She has performed throughout Philadelphia and enjoyed her time dancing with other female tap dancers in the area. Michaela is excited to be teaching at Coalesce this season!

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Donna Marie Ahearn
2025-2026 Instructor + Company Choreographer

Donna began dancing at age 3 in North Jersey, training extensively in Ballet, Pointe, Jazz, Hip Hop, Contemporary, Lyrical, Tap, Musical Theater, and Acro. She joined a competitive dance team at 7 and quickly found a passion for performing, earning numerous regional and national titles and scholarships as both a soloist and team member.

She earned her degree in Early Childhood Education from Morris County College and continued working with children as a preschool teacher while advancing her dance training in New York City at Broadway Dance Center and Steps on Broadway. Donna began performing professionally with the NJ Nets and Pucci Productions, dancing at corporate events and private parties.

Throughout her career, Donna has choreographed, taught, and performed in New Jersey, New York, and Philadelphia. After moving to South Jersey, she spent 20 years at Dance Arts Cherry Hill, managing and choreographing for their competition team (ages 5–18) in jazz, tap, hip hop, and lyrical. Her choreography has received numerous accolades and been nominated for Industry Dance Awards in categories like Hip Hop, Musical Theatre, Contemporary, and Jazz. Many of her soloists have earned top overall scores, scholarships, and both regional and national titles.

Her work has been showcased at Lincoln Center in NYC and was selected for an audition on Paula Abdul’s Live to Dance in 2011. Donna has also performed for the 76ers, ABC Thanksgiving Day Parades, the Make-A-Wish Foundation, Disney Dance Parades, Wawa Welcome America, and Six Flags Great Adventure.Currently, she teaches and choreographs for studios across Pennsylvania and New Jersey, working with both recreational and competitive dancers. She continues to grow as an educator by attending workshops and classes, and in the 2024–2025 season, she is joining Dance Masters of America and pursuing certification with Acrobatic Arts.In addition to her teaching, Donna is a judge for regional and national competitions and leads master classes and workshops. She is deeply passionate about helping dancers of all ages grow in technique, confidence, and creativity—and hopes every student leaves her class inspired to become the best version of themselves.

Mary Kacsur
Summer Instructor + Substitute

Mary Kacsur has been dancing for over 18 years, training in a wide range of styles including ballet, pointe, contemporary, tap, modern, jazz, Horton, hip-hop, and more. She is currently pursuing a Dual Degree at the University of Michigan in BFA Dance and Cognitive Science, with a pathway toward a career in Speech Pathology.

At the University of Michigan, Mary was selected for the SMTD First-Year Touring Company, performing at local schools, events, and fundraisers throughout the state to share her love of dance with the broader community. She began her training at The Pennsylvania School of the Performing Arts, where she danced for 11 years as a company member. Her additional training includes prestigious programs such as Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, Pennsylvania Ballet, Princeton Ballet School, McCarter Theatre, Steps on Broadway, Broadway Dance Center, Radio City Rockette Workshops, and the Joffrey Ballet.

A proud alumna of Central Bucks East, Mary was actively involved in Patriot Players Productions as a performer, singer, and Dance Captain. Her standout roles include Tiger Lily in Peter Pan and Kristine in A Chorus Line.

Mary is passionate about teaching dancers of all ages, levels, and abilities—fostering strong technique, creativity, and a joy for movement. She is looks forward to inspiring the next generation of dancers here at Coalesce Center for Dance Artistry.

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Mia Risoldi
Summer Instructor + Substitute 

Mia Risoldi is currently pursuing her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance and a Master of Education (M.Ed.) at Point Park University, where she continues to develop her artistry and academic excellence. Originally from Buckingham, Pennsylvania, Mia received her foundational training at Bucks County School of the Performing Arts and Princeton Ballet School.

Mia has performed with the American Repertory Ballet in The Nutcracker and was featured in their 2022 and 2023 Gala performances. She has also expanded her training through prestigious summer intensives at renowned institutions such as Complexions Contemporary Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, The Rock School for Dance Education, and Koresh Dance Company. These experiences have helped her cultivate a diverse and versatile background in classical and contemporary dance.

At Point Park University, Mia has had the opportunity to perform in works choreographed or staged by acclaimed artists including Jae Man Joo, Julia Erickson, Jimmy Gamonet de los Heros (via Iliana Lopez), Daniel Karasik, Yoshiaki Nakano, and Susan Stowe. These collaborations have allowed her to grow as both a technical and expressive performer, engaging with a wide range of choreographic styles and creative processes.

Mia is deeply passionate about performance and dance education. With a commitment to artistic growth and a love for inspiring others, she looks forward to a future that incorporates both! 

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